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It might have been the palette knife …
I’ve been concerned that my paintings have been a little aggressive lately, but I think I’ve finally figured it out. It might have been the palette knife. One of my most recent examples doesn’t seem aggressive at all.
Bristol Blue 5×9.8 $350
This is obviously not a scientific experiment. The paper is different (Bristol vellum, which is not as smooth and slightly more absorbent than Yupo). The paint is also slightly different (fluid acrylics, which are dripped onto the paper, rather than tube paint which is much thicker). But the biggest difference is the tool I’m using instead of a palette knife: a Catalyst wedge with three sharp edges of different lengths and made of some kind of hard rubber. There is no handle, which means I hold the wedge in my hand differently than I would a palette knife. For some reason, I find it much easier to move the paint around using this wedge. [Special thanks to Candace, monitor in my afternoon ASL painting class, for suggesting I try it and loaning me hers.]
It’s definitely not the color
Well, continuing with my blue and yellow acrylic on Yupo, this painting also seems to be aggressive, if slightly less than the last few. But it’s definitely not the color … so maybe it’s the technique: acrylic on Yupo applied with a palette knife or lifting tool (cut up credit card). Or maybe it’s just me.
Raptor in Blue 11×14 $725
My initial title was Bird of Prey, but that actually seemed too aggressive for the painting (I was getting tired of aggressive titles). And then when thinking of other words for bird of prey I came up with raptor. From there it was a quick jump to Raptor in Blue, a title both descriptive, and a play on words.
If you can’t see the bird, no problem. Maybe it’s just me.
Ruth Hurd | BLOG 